Bride: Lori Beth Holden, 31

Groom: Paul Garfield Hawthorne, 34

Occupations: Holden, special events planner; Hawthorne, attorney

Homebase: Brooklyn

Wedding Date: June 21, 2009

Wedding Location: The Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Standout in the Crowd: These busy New York City professionals were moving in the same circles for years before they officially met in the summer of 2006. "We met at a West Indian Day parade party on East Parkway," recalls Lori. "I noticed Paul and wanted to approach him but as I was leaving I saw him talking to a really pretty girl so lost my nerve," she admits. As destiny would have it, the pair bumped into each other about a month later at another party but this time they talked the night away. "We ended up having our first date and kiss at the Bryant Park Hotel in Manhattan which is very close to both of our jobs. We were bound to meet eventually."

A Vacation to Remember: After about two years of dating, Lori and Paul were engaged in December 2008 while on vacation in Jamaica. "We were fighting a week before so I wasn't even thinking about a ring," says Lori, who admits she hates surprises. Throughout the courtship, their love was tested by unfortunate external factors like Paul's home being broken into and both of their companies downsizing. "It just made us stronger and let us know that we can get through things together." "He really is the man for me," says Lori of her husband.

Not Losing My Religion: Although the couple is madly in love, they had to adjust to each other's spiritual backgrounds in order to become husband and wife. Paul is a practicing Seventh Day Christian while Lori was raised Baptist. Now, Lori attends church with her husband occasionally and even admits, "I'm kinda getting used to going to church on Saturdays."

Feet First: Most brides wait until the day of the wedding to secure their "something blue" item. But not Lori. "I ordered the shoes before I even found the venue,"she says with a laugh about her cobalt blue Manolo Blahnik stiletto pumps. She adds, "Once I saw Sarah Jessica Parker's character with them in 'Sex and the City' I knew I had to have them." The former model also splurged on two gowns: a tulled bottom one for her ceremony and a slightly less formal option for her reception; both purchased at sample sales.

Budget Bridal Bite: This Philadelphia native wasn't afraid to roll up her sleeves to achieve the wedding of her dreams. She used her expertise as a special events coordinator when planning her big day. "I negotiated with a lot of my vendors and said ‘Look, this is what I have. Can you give us the recession special?'" the bride says chuckling. "You don't know until you try," she adds. She was also savvy when purchasing bridal-related items. "I started ordering candy for our reception way in advance of the wedding." Lori explains. "I looked for after Christmas and after Valentine's Day sales to get the best deals."